Istanbul-based Sera Film Services is upping the game for non-scripted TV shows in the region by creating original reality show and game show formats.
Istanbul-based Sera Film Services is upping the game for non-scripted TV shows in the region by creating original reality show and game show formats.
Drama has traditionally been the most popular genre in the Turkish market, leaving limited scope for others, according to Idil Belli, General Manager of Sera Film Services.
Unscripted shows are not so popular in the region, although international formats such as The Voice, The Idol and so on are successful in the region, but it is difficult to find time slots for local reality shows. Reality TV is yet to find a footing in the regional market, she said.
She added that 90% of TV shows in the region are scripted shows and only 10% of unscripted shows see the light of day on regional TV channels.
As there are fewer time slots for unscripted shows, we make sure they are the best in order to compete with drama, which is the most popular genre. We constantly strive to create better and more interesting formats to fill the gap.
Having said that, we have little competition from local players as most of the companies are focused on drama. Our show QUP has been quite successful on Turkish television and has also generated some interest from other regional broadcasters.
QUP is distributed by Turkish company Eccho Rights and is
running on TRT1. The show was also presented at MIPFormats in Cannes last year. Sera Film Services has a few titles in the MENA, running on popular TV channels in the MBC bouquet as well. These shows were originally created for the Turkish market and then exported to other territories. Some of them are dubbed, while others are adapted in the local language with local payers.
The company is now focused on distribution of both linear and OTT content to territories outside Turkey.
We are also closely following other opportunities to grow, such as our presence on digital platforms. We are exploring their monetising potential. Digital is the way forward, it is a very strong medium and is growing rapidly, Belli said.
